Provo, Utah highlights

Kent loved the airport, the planes, the space to run in, the play area and staying up waaaayyyy late. Eventually the excitement turned into 30 minutes of hysterics then he was calm again and slept a little on my lap. It is difficult to hold a 26+ lbs toddler on one's lap and be comfortable in already too small a space as an airplane seat.

 Airport playgrounds!

The next day we took it easy at the hotel and its pool, then drove to Provo with a sleeping toddler in the back. The views were incredible and we happened to drive by Bridal veils falls. Kent woke up and loved pointing to the water and rocks and planes overhead. The water was freezing but refreshing.

The house we rented in Provo was built in the mid 2800s and was so charming. The details were lovely and I would have chosen this house as my own too. Kent managed to dial 911 a few moments after our host left but luckily the emergency operator called back and we explained the embarrassing situation to her. I'm thankful she was so gracious and forgiving. I was mortified.

Every day, we dropped off Matt on BYU's awesome campus at around 8 am and picked him up at 5 pm. These were loooong days for me, being in an unfamiliar city and not quite knowing how to fill our days. I was trying to spend the least amount of time in the house for fear Kent would break something and because I brought so few toys for him. Being outside was tough too from the 90+ temperatures. We survived though and found out Kent loves drinking from our water bottles.

One block away was an awesome splash pad and playground. This was our saving grace. Kent had never seen a splash pad and he loved it.

We visited the Bean Life Science museum on campus (free) and Kent had a tough time not touching all of the animals. He only wanted to show me their eyes, ears and noses.

 Many a tantrum that morning.

 His favorite was the staircase. Good thing the museum was free!!

We went to Target to buy arm floaties because we planned to go to the rec center where they have an indoor and outdoor water park and play area. Again, a first for Kent and although he screeched terrified at first, he learned to LOVE the water slide and did it by himself over and over. He even got submerged a few times and laughed hysterically after coughing up pee-infested water. This amazed me because he loathes getting his face or hair wet in the bath now. I have no pictures of his delightful squeals and excited "gin" = his word for "again".

Finding toys at Target.

 We have now entered "that" stage. Oh uh.

Finding the Target dog is always a good distraction from the toy aisles. Here, he's poking showing the eyes.

 And the nose.

We went to the dinosaur museum (free) and he mostly liked the stairs but I coaxed him into appreciating the  Dino molds.

We went the the local library for story time and he enjoyed playing with other kids = running after them and attempting to shove his fingers in their noses, ears and eyes, in an effort to teach them these words. My parents taught him these body parts so they are to blame. Kidding! He was mesmerized by the mouse puppet.

Kent pulled a heavy drawer out and let go just as the drawer was all the way out of its track. It landed directly on my big toe. It hurt so bad I couldn't speak or breathe so there was no fear in him learning a swear word. It turned blue and throbbed and swelled up. That night we poked a hole in it to relieve the pressure and the blood. Matt was convinced it was broken but the next day it was better and I could bend it. I was so worried I wouldn't be able to hike at Bryce Canyon park!!

We went out to eat several times and oohed and aahed over the fun stores and restaurants and charm here in Provo. Mostly, we hung out as a family after Matt's long conference days.

Provo is such a fun place and everywhere you look there are breathless views of the mountains. Oh how I miss them already.